Ash-hit flights gradually resume in Australia

SYDNEY : Australian flights grounded by the Chilean ash cloud gradually started to resume Wednesday, but thousands of passengers face more delays as airlines scramble to clear a massive backlog. Hundreds of services were cancelled Tuesday in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra but the threat of prolonged disruption has eased as the plume from the Puyehue volcano eruption pushes out towards the Tasman sea. National carrier Qantas restored flights to and from the South Australian capital Adelaide before dawn, and they will be followed by Melbourne at 11:00am (0100 GMT). Canberra and Sydney routes will begin operating again at 2:00pm, including international flights, although the airline said delays were expected on overseas services into both Sydney and Melbourne. Spokeswoman Olivia Wirth said the airline expected thousands of its customers to be affected once again. "T...